We spent a week and 620 miles with Kia’s new three-row EV9, including a full family road trip, a mountain loop, and multiple DC fast-charge sessions. Here’s how the GT-Line AWD version performs in the real world.
Our test car is the 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD, the launch flagship of Kia’s electric three-row SUV. It pairs dual motors for a combined 379 hp and up to 516 lb-ft when Boost is engaged, fed by a 99.8-kWh battery on an 800-volt architecture. Curb weight hovers just under three tons, yet the EV9 still promises an EPA-estimated 270 miles in this trim and 304 miles in the Long Range RWD model. Seating is for six here (captain’s chairs), with a flat floor and a boxy body that prioritizes space.
Testing spanned Los Angeles stop-and-go, a steady 70-mph freeway loop, a loaded family run with two child seats and luggage, and a hot-soak day at 95°F. We also hit a 350-kW station twice to evaluate charging repeatability and used Level 2 at 48 amps overnight. Tire pressures were set to placard, and we ran the HVAC in Auto to mirror typical use. Performance is more brisk than the spec sheet suggests.
With Boost enabled, our GPS-verified 0–60 mph run took 4.6 seconds (5.0 without Boost) and 30–50 mph passes were immediate. Blended braking is among the best in a big EV, with a consistent pedal and strong regen; our best 60–0 mph stop measured 131 feet with minimal fade. Body control is tidy for the mass—no air suspension here—but the damping keeps secondary motions in check, and road noise is well muted; we recorded 67 dBA at 70 mph on smooth asphalt. Efficiency and charging are the EV9’s calling cards.
We averaged 2.4 mi/kWh in mixed driving and 2.1–2.2 mi/kWh on our 70-mph loop. A highway range run from 100% to 5% delivered 238 miles in mild weather; in 95°F heat with heavy A/C, expect closer to 225. On a 350-kW charger, our best session went from 12% to 80% in 27 minutes, peaking at 231 kW and holding above 150 kW past 60%. Battery preconditioning via the nav-to-charger prompt worked reliably.
At home, the 10.9-kW onboard charger refilled from 10% to 100% in 8.5 hours on a 48-amp circuit. Vehicle-to-load is rated at up to 1.9 kW and easily powered campsite gear. Usability is where the EV9 feels thoughtfully engineered. Adults fit in row two with limo-like knee room; row three suits teens for long stints and adults for short hops.
Cargo space is generous with a flat load floor, and there’s enough underfloor room for the charge cable. The interface combines dual 12.3-inch screens and a small climate display; a few physical keys remain for core functions, while the rest are soft keys. HDA2 lane-centering is confident on clean lane markings and eases fatigue, though it can wobble in construction zones. The 360-degree camera is crisp and invaluable in tight parking.
Verdict: the EV9 GT-Line stands out for fast charging, family space, and refinement. Efficiency is merely average, and the GT-Line’s price pushes into luxury territory, but the fundamentals are strong. For most buyers, the Long Range RWD trim offers the best value and range; step up to AWD for poor-weather traction, and choose the GT-Line only if you want maximum punch and the full suite of features.
